A Review of Fast Reactor Activities in Switzerland

The energy debate in Switzerland is currently characterised by an increasing polarisation of opinion. This polarisation has recently been aggravated by two events, a motion in both houses of Parliament proposing to cancel the Kaiseraugst nuclear power plant project, and the publication of a report by an "expert group on energy scenarios" nominated by the Federal Council. The proposal to cancel the Kaiseraugst project reflects difficulties with the increasing costs of a long debated project with still unclear future. In its response the Government will have to consider that, in the foreseeable future, there are no possible alternatives, since local parliamentary decisions at Berne and Geneva have ruled out the construction of nuclear power plants on proposed sites within their territory. The expert group on energy scenarios was charged to study the consequences of phasing out nuclear energy and propose appropriate scenarios. The group concluded that a non-nuclear path is possible but expensive, and that a rigorous energy conservation programme is necessary, if massive electricity imports are to be avoided. The group estimates that energy savings of up to 33% could be achieved at a per capita cost of about 13'000 SFr. This would, however, involve the introduction of heavy energy taxes and far-reaching regulations. Although the necessity to conserve energy is widely accepted, this has hardly reflected upon the practical habits of the consumers: In 1987 the electricity consumption and the total end energy consumption went up by 2.9 and 3.1%, respectively. It remains to be seen whether the consumers will accept the proposed taxes and regulations when they are called to the vote. In view of this situation, the Federal Council has now announced that it is against abandoning the nuclear option and will adopt an appropriate policy